The Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI) today held a Creative Presentation Competition at the Rizqun International Hotel. The competition was organized jointly by AITI and the Department of Schools, Ministry of Education and was participated by sixty (60) students of Year 9 from twenty (20) secondary schools.

Present to welcome the participants was Awang Haji Yahkup bin Haji Menudin, the Chief Executive of AITI. The competition was centred around Cybersecurity topic. It was aimed at raising student’s awareness and understanding on ICT security, and provide the avenue for the students to express their views, challenge their critical thinking and argumentative skills, and enhance their English language and communication abilities. Three (3) top teams will compete as finalists tomorrow during the official launching of the National Broadband Policy event which will graced by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdullah bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar, Minister of Communications.

The Creative Presentation Competition marks the kick off of the cybersecurity awareness campaign that was held in conjunction with the Cybersecurity Awareness Week 2014. The campaign continued with a series of cybersecurity talks in the afternoon session. The talks that covered several topics on ensuring safety in cyberspace were delivered by representatives from the Royal Brunei Police Force, Counselling Unit of the Ministry of Education, BruCERT and an international speaker from Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA).

The Cybersecurity Awareness Week 2014 was held in conjunction with APEC-TEL’s Cybersecurity Awareness Day and ASEAN-Japan Information Security Policy Meeting’s Cybersecurity Awareness Week, which were celebrated annually in October. This symbolic effort reflects the continued commitment of APEC TEL economies to advancing cybersecurity domestically, within the APEC region, and with other partners globally.

The objectives of the event are to increase the knowledge of online safety and security issues among internet users in the country. Themed as “The Future, Our Responsibility Together”, this initiative focuses on our need to raise awareness on cyber safety and security, and promote standards of appropriate behaviour including when using the social media platforms especially to our children who are our future generation.

The Cybersecurity Awareness Week 2014 event is organised by AITI in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Royal Brunei Police Force, Attorney General Chambers and Brunei Computer Emergency Response Team (BruCERT).

There will be a 2-day cybersecurity seminars and related activities being arranged for the students, parents and public. Interested members of the public are welcomed to participate in the seminar which will be held on 11th November at 8.00 am at the Songket Hall, The Rizqun International Hotel. As seats are limited, interested participants are advised to send their RSVP via SMS at 8645884.